The Ultimate Guide to Australia’s East Coast Road Trip (2025 Edition)
Everything you need to know to plan your dream coastal adventure in the land down under. From Sydney to Cairns!
Australia’s East Coast is one of the world’s most iconic road trip routes and for good reason. With gorgeous beaches, ancient rainforests, vibrant cities, and laid-back surf towns, the East Coast packs incredible variety, unforgettable adventure, and postcard-worthy views at every turn.
🌴 Quick Overview: East Coast Road Trip Route
Whether you’re driving a campervan, car, or traveling on the super convientent Greyhound buses, this guide will walk you through when to go, packing essentials, the best stops, how much to budget, and exactly how to make this trip the adventure of a lifetime.
Route: Sydney to Cairns (or reverse)
Distance: 2,614 km (1,624 m)
Recommended Time: 4–6 weeks (can be done in 2–3 weeks at a faster pace)
Best Direction to Travel: Northbound (Easier flyin/flyout opprotunities)
📍 Main Stops Include:
- Sydney
- Byron Bay
- Brisbane + Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
- Fraser Island (K'gari)
- Airlie Beach & Whitsundays
- Magnetic Island
- Cairns
☀️ When Is the Best Time to Do an East Coast Road Trip?
While most of Australia's East Coast has a generally mild climate year-round there is definitely still a best time to visit in our opinion, and that is anytime from May to November. Also known for being the dry season in Tropical North Queensland.
🚐 Getting Around: Van Life or Backpacking?
Option 1: Rent or Buy a Campervan
Campervans will almost always be our favorite option when it comes to transportation. They really offer you ultimate freedom to stop when and where you want. It is definitely an investment but especially along the coast there are plenty of free and cheap campsites along the coast.
Option 2: Public Transport + Hostels
For our solo travelers or those not confident driving especially on the left, we highly recommend checking out the Greyhound East Coast Travel Passes. With the WHIMIT passes you can get unlimited, flexible travel anywhere between Melbourne and Cairns in any direction.
And as for accomodations we of course recommend reseaching and finding all your stays through Hostel World allowing you to easily keep track of all your bookings in one place.
🧭 Must-See Stops on the East Coast (With Insider Tips)
1. Sydney
Start (or end) your tip off with a bang! Exploring this iconic world renown city, you will get to take in sights like the Oprea House and Harbour bridge. There is obviously thousands of things to do, see, and try in Sydney but some of our favorites include: Pylon Lookout, The Rocks, Circular Quay, the Bondi to Coogee Walk, Manly Beach and Sydney Tower Eye. Sydney is also home to the Taronga Zoo, however if you have the time we suggest forgoing the Taronga Zoo and instead going to the Australian Zoo near Sunshine Coast. And if you are visiting between May and November you have the opportunity to go Whale Watching out of Sydney Harbour. We took my mother to do this in September and it was absolutely magical! If you have an extra day to detor inland we would also suggest spending a day in the Blue Mountains, either on a tour from Sydney or driving up to enjoy Scenic World.
2. Port Macquarie & Coffs Harbour
As you make your way up the coast, don’t miss the chance to explore some of New South Wales’ most charming coastal towns. Port Macquarie is a perfect halfway stop, known for its beautiful beaches, coastal walks, and the Koala Hospital, where you can learn about Australia’s wildlife rescue efforts. A bit further north, Coffs Harbour offers a mix of rainforest and surf. Here we sugesst checking out the Forest Sky Pier, snap a photo at the iconic Big Banana, or unwind on one of the quieter beaches like Diggers or Sapphire. These towns are both great for tapping into that slower laid-back beach vibe that seems to be baked into the Aussie culture.
5. Sunshine Coast & Noosa
As you continue your journey north, the Sunshine Coast welcomes you with its easygoing charm, golden beaches, and hinterland gems. One of the region’s most iconic stops is the Australia Zoo, founded by the late Steve Irwin and is still run and operated by his family. As we mentioned before this is our number one recomendation if you are looking to visit a zoo while traveling the East Coast. It’s not just a zoo, but a conservation organization and an unforgettable wildlife experience. You can easily and honestly should spend the whole day here, watching crocodile shows, hand-feeding kangaroos, and learning about their wildlife hospital.
Afterwards, head to Mooloolaba for a walk along the esplanade or a swim at the patrolled beach, or maybe venture inland to explore the artisan villages and lush trails of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, including Montville and Maleny. For the photographers and sunset lovers, you won't want to miss the Glass House Mountains Lookout during golden hour.
Afterwards, head to Mooloolaba for a walk along the esplanade or a swim at the patrolled beach, or maybe venture inland to explore the artisan villages and lush trails of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, including Montville and Maleny. For the photographers and sunset lovers, you won't want to miss the Glass House Mountains Lookout during golden hour.
3. Byron Bay
Speaking of laid-back, the next stop on your epic adventure is Byron Bay. What some may consider the ultimate artsy surf town. There is so much to do here and honestly something for every kind of traveler. For the active traveler we suggest the walk up to the Light House (twice as gorgeous at sunrise). For the animal lovers check out Cape Byron Kayaks and their Dolphin tours. For those looking for some night time activities you must head to the iconic dueling piano bar, The Northern. Or for the spiritual traveler, take a short trek (drive) out of the city to visit the dreamy Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens. This mixed with great beaches, delicious resurants, and plenty of accommodation options makes Byron Bay an incredible stop on your roadtrip.
4. Gold Coast & Brisbane
Crossing over the border from New South Wales into Queensland, the vibe shifts instantly as you head into the 'Gitter Strip'. Welcome to the Gold Coast! This stretch of coastline is famous for its surf culture, theme parks, and skyline that meets the sea. Spend a morning hiking through lush rainforest and waterfalls in Springbrook National Park, or catch sunrise at Burleigh Head National Park, where locals grab their morning coffees and go for an ocean swim. And of course, no trip to GC is complete without wandering through Surfers Paradise. We also highly recomend taking in the view from the SkyPoint Observation Deck, and maybe treating yourself to a sunset cocktail with a view.
From the Gold Coast, it’s a short drive (or train ride) to Brisbane, the capitol of Queensland. Explore Streets Beach at South Bank Parklands, the only inner-city manmade beach in Australia, or spend a chilled afternoon at the Botanic Gardens or the Museum of Brisbane. If you're in the mood for some retail therapy, Queen Street Mall is packed with shops and restaurants. But the real must see here is Moreton Island! Hop on a ferry or book a day trip and you will find yourself on a gorgeous island surrounded by crystal-clear water. Here you can snorkel the offshore shipwrecks, go kayaking or paddleboarding and if you have transportation on the island go on a sandboarding adventure. Moreton Island is even cooler to us as it is the location they turned into Spooky Island in the 2002 Scooby-Doo live action film.